NameCensus.

UK surname

Bedward

An occupational surname derived from the Old English words "bed" and "weard," meaning a bedridden or infirm person's caretaker or attendant.

In the 1881 census there were 157 people recorded with the Bedward surname, ranking it #15,046 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 331, ranked #13,735, up from #15,046 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, Richmond and Tettenhall. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bury, West Berkshire and Croydon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bedward is 344 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 110.8%.

1881 census count

157

Ranked #15,046

Modern count

331

2016, ranked #13,735

Peak year

2010

344 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bedward had 157 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #15,046 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 331 in 2016, ranked #13,735.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 230 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Bedward surname distribution map

The map shows where the Bedward surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Bedward surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bedward over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 153 #12,721
1861 historical 112 #19,279
1881 historical 157 #15,046
1891 historical 169 #16,885
1901 historical 198 #15,213
1911 historical 230 #13,686
1997 modern 295 #13,680
1998 modern 302 #13,839
1999 modern 300 #13,958
2000 modern 292 #14,165
2001 modern 292 #13,967
2002 modern 319 #13,448
2003 modern 314 #13,419
2004 modern 322 #13,260
2005 modern 313 #13,433
2006 modern 303 #13,834
2007 modern 309 #13,760
2008 modern 324 #13,437
2009 modern 332 #13,458
2010 modern 344 #13,393
2011 modern 338 #13,435
2012 modern 323 #13,780
2013 modern 339 #13,477
2014 modern 342 #13,498
2015 modern 339 #13,493
2016 modern 331 #13,735

Geography

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Where Bedwards are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, Richmond, Tettenhall, Birmingham Town: Birmingham and West Bromwich. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bury, West Berkshire, Croydon, Birmingham and Milton Keynes. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Wolverhampton Staffordshire
2 Richmond Surrey
3 Tettenhall Staffordshire
4 Birmingham Town: Birmingham Warwickshire
5 West Bromwich Staffordshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bury 001 Bury
2 West Berkshire 004 West Berkshire
3 Croydon 008 Croydon
4 Birmingham 036 Birmingham
5 Milton Keynes 001 Milton Keynes

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bedward

These lists show first names that appear often with the Bedward surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bedward

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Bedward, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Bedward surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Bedward household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Bedward is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Bedward is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Bedward falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Bedward is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Bedward, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Bedward

The surname Bedward is of English origin, with its roots traced back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from a combination of the Old English words "bede," meaning prayer or prayerful, and "ward," indicating a watchman or guardian. This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone tasked with guarding a place of worship or a religious community.

The earliest known recorded instance of the name Bedward can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1190, where a certain William Bedward is mentioned as a landowner. This document provides valuable insight into the name's existence during the late 12th century.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "Bedeward" and "Bediward," reflecting the variations in spelling that were common during that period. One notable reference is in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1226, which mentions a Robert Bedeward from Oxfordshire.

The Bedward surname has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such figure was John Bedward (1530-1592), a prominent clergyman and theologian who served as the Dean of Salisbury Cathedral during the late 16th century.

Another notable bearer of the name was Sir Henry Bedward (1705-1783), a British naval officer who played a pivotal role in the Battle of Quiberon Bay during the Seven Years' War. His distinguished military service earned him recognition and honors from the Crown.

In the literary realm, the surname is associated with William Bedward (1820-1898), a renowned English poet and author who gained recognition for his works exploring themes of nature and rural life.

The Bedward name has also been linked to various place names in England, such as Bedwardine, a small village in Worcestershire, and Bedwardsley, a hamlet in Cheshire. These place names likely originated from individuals bearing the Bedward surname who resided in or held ownership of these areas in the past.

It is worth noting that the name Bedward has also been subject to spelling variations over the centuries, with alternative forms like "Bedward," "Bedwarde," and "Bedwarde" appearing in historical records.

While the surname Bedward may not be among the most common in modern times, its rich history and origins provide valuable insights into the linguistic and cultural influences that have shaped English surnames over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bedward families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bedward surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Staffordshire leads with 59 Bedwards recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.41x.

County Total Index
Staffordshire 59 11.41x
Surrey 30 4.02x
Warwickshire 15 3.88x
Middlesex 8 0.52x
Worcestershire 8 4.00x
Montgomeryshire 6 17.10x
Nottinghamshire 6 2.91x
Shropshire 6 4.54x
Cheshire 5 1.48x
Herefordshire 3 4.78x
Devon 2 0.63x
Flintshire 2 4.86x
Lancashire 2 0.11x
Wiltshire 2 1.48x
Kent 1 0.19x
Radnorshire 1 8.09x
Yorkshire 1 0.07x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Richmond in Surrey leads with 26 Bedwards recorded in 1881 and an index of 248.57x.

Place Total Index
Richmond 26 248.57x
Tettenhall 19 601.27x
West Bromwich 17 57.45x
Birmingham 10 7.77x
Handsworth 8 62.79x
Penkridge 8 601.50x
Codsall 6 821.92x
Hanley Castle 6 500.00x
Nottingham St Mary 6 11.24x
Aston 5 4.70x
Hammersmith London 5 13.26x
Beckbury 4 2352.94x
Birkenhead 4 14.84x
Penge 4 40.90x
Eardisley 3 666.67x
Churchstoke 2 303.03x
Forden 2 416.67x
Limehouse London 2 11.90x
Mold 2 53.62x
Plymouth St Andrew 2 8.14x
Swindon 2 19.05x
Berrington 1 192.31x
Chester Holy Trinity 1 63.29x
Chirbury 1 128.21x
Great Crosby 1 20.20x
Guilsfield 1 78.13x
Knighton 1 100.00x
Liverpool 1 0.91x
Minster In Sheppey 1 11.55x
Northfield 1 26.39x
Pool 1 37.74x
St Bartholomew Great 1 71.94x
Upton On Severn 1 76.34x
Wadsworth 1 40.49x
Wednesfield 1 13.14x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Bedward surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 12
Sarah 8
Elizabeth 7
Jane 7
Ann 4
Eliza 4
Matilda 4
Agnes 3
Annie 3
Alice 2
Catherine 2
Emily 2
Emma 2
Harriet 2
Martha 2
Sophia 2
Ada 1
Amy 1
Cary 1
Cecelia 1
Cecilia 1
Charlotte 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
Elizb. 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Lucy 1
May 1
Mrs 1
Nelly 1
Orontes 1
Priscilla 1
Rebecca 1
Selina 1
Thomas 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Bedward surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Thomas 10
William 8
John 7
Edward 6
James 6
George 4
Alfred 3
Arthur 3
Frederick 3
Henry 3
Benjamin 2
Charles 2
Edwin 2
Joseph 2
Ambrose 1
Chas. 1
Christopher 1
Edwd. 1
Fredk.G. 1
Jno.S. 1
Maurice 1
Samuel 1
Wm.Hy. 1

FAQ

Bedward surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bedward surname in 1881?

In 1881, 157 people were recorded with the Bedward surname. That placed it at #15,046 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bedward surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 331 in 2016. That gives Bedward a modern rank of #13,735.

What does the Bedward surname mean?

An occupational surname derived from the Old English words "bed" and "weard," meaning a bedridden or infirm person's caretaker or attendant.

What does the Bedward map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Bedward bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.